Pep Guardiola hit the FA Cup ball and suggested that it is not suitable for the goal after the coming victory of Manchester City against Championship Side Plymouth Argyle.
Teen Nico O'Reilly saved Guardiola and the blush of the city with a brace, but it was the ball, made by Mitre Sports, who was in front of Guardiola after the 3-1 victory.
City saw a number of efforts – a total of 10 – flying over the bar or wide of the target with Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Rico Lewis among those who struggle to keep it under control.
'Normally the ball goes in from these recordings. It's hard to control it, “said Guardiola.
'Many years say many players and managers about that. If you lose it [sounds like] You complain but the ball is not good. I'm sorry.
“In many years it happened in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, I know it is a company and they come to similarities.”
Printed whether he personally lobbyed to change the ball, Guardiola added: 'I have said it for many years.
'I would like to play Champions League when we play on Wednesday, we play on Saturday .. Play on Sunday. There are things outside of our control.
“I said my opinion and people say fine or not right. We won so that people will be nice to me, but if we lose, I would think the same.
“I wouldn't say it because I don't want to be punished, but it's the truth. The Champions League ball is exceptional, the Premier League ball is exceptional, but it is not good. '
Mitre describes the ball as 'with hyperflow debossed grooves over the ball, for incredible flight consistency over all speeds'.
They also add that the ball the FIFA quality has been approved and teams that use it can 'play as the best in the game with unbeatable quality'. Miter did not respond to a request for comment last night.
Guardiola's complaints follow from Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who focused on the Puma Ball used in the Carabao Cup after semi-final defeat against Newcastle in January.
Arteta even suggested that the ball could have contributed to their defeat because it is different from the Nike balls used in the Premier League.
In clearer news for Guardiola and City, he hinted that Rodri can make a return to action in the Premier League before the season is out.
The Ballon d'Or winner of 2024 has been sidelined since he had picked up an ACL injury in the draw to Arsenal in September and he was quickly excluded for the rest of the season and probably Club World Cup in the summer.
But Guardiola is becoming increasingly optimistic that his chief in midfield can make a recovery much faster than city staff.
“The fans must know that they are not the only ones who are enthusiastic,” Guardiola added.
'But step by step we don't have to make stupid decisions that come weeks earlier. It is good, but he is not to come back close, I would say.
'He touches the ball today, in the dressing room that is touch with the players.
“He feels confident, he feels happier. I couldn't expect it before [him to return] before the end of the season, even the [Club] World Cup, but in the Premier League it might happen. '
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